Mujib

Mujib commonly refers to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (17 March 1920 – 15 August 1975), a Bangladeshi politician who is widely regarded as the central figure in the country’s independence movement. He is known as Bangabandhu, meaning Friend of Bengal, and is celebrated as the Father of the Nation for his pivotal role in founding Bangladesh.

Born in Tungipara in the Bengal Presidency (then part of British India), Mujib emerged as a leading political figure in East Pakistan after helping to found the Awami League in 1949. He led the party through the 1950s and 1960s, advocating greater autonomy for East Pakistan. He was a prominent voice in the 1952 Language Movement and later organized the Six-Point Demand in 1966, which became a cornerstone of the push for democratic rights. Mujib spent years in and out of detention under Pakistani rule.

During the 1970 general elections, the Awami League won a landslide in East Pakistan, but the central authorities delayed power transfer, escalating tensions that culminated in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Mujib was imprisoned in Pakistan for most of the conflict, and was released in January 1972 after independence. He returned to Dhaka and led the new government under the 1972 constitution, shaping the early state and its institutions.

In 1975, Mujib faced deep political strife and moved to consolidate power, which included establishing a one-party system. He and most of his family were assassinated during a military coup on 15 August 1975. His legacy remains central to Bangladesh’s national identity, and his daughter, Sheikh Hasina, has served as Prime Minister since 2009.